Inordinate Appetite tobe denied. 103 to bring it into fubjetlion, left when he had preached to others., he Amid be cag away hirsfelf, (i Cor. 9. 27. ) much more have we need to be watchful that are more weak. We are com- manded exprefly tomake noprovifion for the fiejb, to fatiffie the lofts or (defires) thereof, Rom. 13.14. And therefore they that eat, or drink, or do any thing elfe for the meer fatisfaRion of the defiret of the flefh, and for its delight, do breakthis exprefs command of God. And how is it laid, that they that are (-krill, have Crucified the flefb with the affections and hills or defires thereof, if they may ufe .the Creatures meerly to delight and pleafe the fiefin ? This is not Cracibing its affeltions and defiref, Gal.5 24. Jobs covenant with the eyes that they gaze not on alluringob- jeds, ( rob 3 IA. ) was an a& of feifielogoi/ that others need as well as yob. Such a Covenant with our taft, and with our ears, and with every fenfe, that they move not but by the con- tent of God and Reafon, and let not in any fin into the foul, is a moft eminent part of this necefTary duty. Davids Adultery and Murder did first make its entrance at the eye. HadNoah more jealouflywatcht his Appetite, he had not by Drunken- nets been a warning to pofterity. It was Achan eyes that be- trayed his heart to the gold,and filver,and richattire,thoughan accurfed thing, yvh.7.20.21. What fin almoft dothnot enter az force of thefe ports ? Be fare therefore that- no rote be without its guard Ac- essfiom your felves to deny them, and the conqueft will be eafie.: It is not to deny them any thing that is ufetu! to you for Gods fervice, and a truemeans to your holy Ends, that I advife you to; but only that which would betray you by delighting them. It is not to defiroy the body, but to tame it, keep it tinder, and bring it into fubjetlion : and this mail be done. To move to this, confider yet further thefe three or four things more di! . It is for want of this part of felf-denyal that the world is fo full of fcanziAll, and the Confciences of men fo full of wounds, and Profeffors walk fo unevenly withGod, andkern to be butas other men. Here one drops into tipling, if not (lark drunkennefs ; and there another into wantonnefs, if not forni- cation
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=